New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has lashed out at the Union government for its “anti-Kannadiga” and “anti-poor” decision not to allow the Food Corporation of India to sell rice directly to the state. The Karnataka government had reached a deal with the FCI on Monday to buy 2.28 lakh metric tons of rice at Rs 3,400 per quintal for its ambitious Anna Bhagya programme.In its election manifesto, the Congress had promised to launch this scheme, under which all BPL and Antyodaya card holders will be eligible for 10 kg free rice. The scheme is supposed to begin on July 1.A day after the Karnataka government reached its agreement with the FCI, the Union government asked the Corporation to release 15 lakh metric tonnes of rice and wheat in the open market and stop direct sale to states, except those in the north east.“FCI may liquidate rice under Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) (OMSS-D) to Private Parties from central pool stock, as per requirement, in order to moderate prices… The sale of wheat and rice under OMSS(D) for State Governments is discontinued,” the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said in its directive.“We will try to provide grains irrespective of the extent of the conspiracy… The Government of India will be responsible (for any delay),” Siddaramaiah said on this new directive, adding that the “The Central government is trying to scuttle (the scheme).”As The Wire has reported, while the overall retail price inflation fell to a 25-month low of 4.25% in May, the retail price inflation rates of rice, wheat and some pulses, such as tur, remained high. Economists have also said that a bad monsoon this year may lead to further volatility in food prices.The food ministry told The Indian Express that its directive to the FCI was meant to keep food prices in check. “In order to ensure that the inflationary trends are kept under control while ensuring adequate stock levels in the Central pool, it has been decided to exclude State Govts’ scheme from the ambit of the OMSS(D), this time,” the ministry said.Siddaramaiah, however, said in a tweet that this was a deliberate move by the Union government. “BJP is always anti-Karnataka and we have been saying this since 2014. Narendra Modi’s step-motherly treatment towards Karnataka has caused Kannadigas a great trouble since 2014,” he said.In a desperate attempt to create problems for the implementation of Anna Bhagya 2.0, @narendramodi led Government of India writes to FCI to stop sale of rice to State under Open Market Sale Scheme.Why is @narendramodi & @BJP4Karnataka against us giving 10 Kgs of free rice to… pic.twitter.com/OlclyUaTbF— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 15, 2023“BJP leaders had openly threatened Kannadigas during elections by saying that all schemes will be stopped if BJP is not voted to power. Is this letter to FCI an outcome of that?” he added.
